Exhibition Judge: Richard Laurent
Cartooning and animation are powerful modes for speaking truth to power, when protest is captioned in a word bubble and dry humor delivers the punch. In honor of Oak Park artist and prolific political cartoonist Keith J. Taylor, this juried national exhibition comes at a fraught time, an election year, and invites artists working in all forms of cartooning and animation to submit works that speak to this moment in human history.
Formed in 2021, the Keith J. Taylor Memorial Scholarship is a tribute to Oak Park artist and cartoonist Keith J. Taylor who taught youth cartooning at the Oak Park Art League, served as OPAL Board President, and was an active Artist Member for many years. Though Keith is no longer with us, this fund is created to encourage children and teens to develop their creativity and self-expression through art and particularly cartooning. A scholarship will be awarded with funds raised from this exhibition. Open submissions for scholarship.
About The Judge: Richard, trained at IIT-Institute of Design, Chicago, has worked as an art director, book designer, illustrator and editorial cartoonist. After working for Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation as Creative Director and as an animation director, he started Laurent Design & Illustration doing magazine illustration and editorial cartooning. Later, he worked as an editorial cartoonist for the Chicago Sun-Times. In 2018, Richard published his first book of cartoons, “Laughing Matters-The Political Cartoons of Richard Laurent. (Amazon).” Currently, he works as an editorial cartoonist, painter/illustrator, and instructor at Columbia College-Chicago. He works out of his studio in the historic Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue, Chicago.
AWARDS
Judge’s selections for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place, cash awards
People’s Choice Award
An online exhibition of works will be hosted on OPAL's website with all submissions. Acceptance into the exhibition will be announced Sept 9th.
Important dates:
Call opens: Mid-June 2024
Submission deadline: Sunday August 25 - midnight
Notifications: Monday, Sept 9th
Delivery of work: Sept 24th - Oct 4
Exhibition dates: Oct 18 - Nov 15
Artist Reception: Friday, October 25th 7-9pm
Cost per submission: $40 for up to 3 pieces.